A driver fills up at Petro-Canada Tuesday morning. A new federal carbon tax is coming into effect in Alberta on Wednesday - Photo by Charles Lefebvre

By Charles Lefebvre

Carbon tax

Alberta says it will continue to fight against carbon tax

Dec 31, 2019 | 2:22 PM

CALGARY, AB — Hours before a federal carbon tax is imposed on the province, the United Conservative Party has revealed how they plan to continue the fight against the tax.

Speaking to media in Calgary Tuesday morning at the Blackfoot Truckstop Diner, Justice Minister and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer says the province still plans to fight Ottawa on the tax, arguing the federal government is overstepping its bounds by imposing the tax on the province.

“Albertans voted overwhelmingly in the provincial election to repeal the carbon tax, as well as in the federal election to repeal the carbon tax,” Schweitzer said. “We’ve heard them loud and clear. We’re doing everything within our power to make sure we take that step to get that done.”

Provincial governments were required to create their own carbon tax plans, or have one imposed on them by the federal government. In addition to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Manitoba will have a carbon tax imposed on them.

Provinces are being taxed at $20 per tonne of carbon dioxide, which will rise to $30 per tonne in April. It means a litre of gas is expected to cost at least four cents more starting Wednesday, and seven cents in April.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

8h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

The Alberta government is the third provincial government to challenge the federal government’s carbon tax, following Saskatchewan and Ontario.

Saskatchewan and Ontario’s Court of Appeal both ruled the federal government has the right to impose a carbon tax on the province. Saskatchewan and Ontario are both appealing the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada. Saskatchewan’s case is scheduled to be heard on March 24, while Ontario’s will be heard the next day.

Earlier this month, the Alberta Court of Appeal heard the province’s challenge of the federal carbon tax, and reserved its decision for a later date.

“We’re waiting to see what the Alberta Court of Appeal’s decision is going to have in the new year,” said Schweitzer. “We’re hoping to have that decision before the Supreme Court case that’s going to be heard in March. We’re going to keep that fight going.”

Schweitzer says the Supreme Court decision is going to be critical.

“This is federal overreach, plain and simple,” Schweitzer says. “This is clearly provincial jurisdiction. We’re going to continue this fight. If you lose this jurisdiction, we lose it forever. We’re not willing to cave on this. Previous governments want to roll over to the federal government, we’re not willing to do that.

“This area of the Constitution was heavily negotiated back with Peter Lougheed. He fought to have this as part of our own ability to control our destiny and our future in the province of Alberta.”

Carbon tax rebates

Provinces which had a carbon tax imposed on them are eligible for rebates from the federal government, which says it will help offset the extra costs added to consumers from the carbon tax.

In Alberta, a single adult, or the first adult in a couple will receive $444. The second adult will receive $222, and each child under 18 will receive $111.

In the case of single parents, the first child will receive $222 and every child after will receive $111.

Rural Albertans will receive an additional 10 per cent supplement on top of the rebate they are eligible to receive.

Carbon tax rebates are claimed when Albertans file their taxes.